While the deadline for Phase 1 of the FAME India (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles in India) scheme, initiated by the department of heavy industry (DHI), will expire on March 31, 2019, BMTC’s move to induct 80 e-buses has been delayed after transport minister DC Thammanna insisted they be purchased and not leased.

In a recent meeting where officials of the transport department, Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS) were present, it was decided that the process of selecting sites for charging points across the city would begin shortly.

​​The sources, who did not wish to be identified as the deal is yet to be closed, said ZipGo will utilise the fresh funds to expand operations in newer cities in India and towards induction of electric buses and rickshaws.

The Haryana government is mulling to have a fleet of 500 buses under the city bus project in Gurgaon to strengthen the services. Order for 100 buses has been issued and 25 buses would start plying in the city by August 15, an official spokesman said.

Dheeraj Hinduja, chairman at India’s second largest truck maker Ashok Leyland, prefers a low profile, but with managing director Vinod Dasari leaving at the end of the month, he says he’s become more “hands-on”.